New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft speaks at the NFL International Series Fan Rally at Trafalgar Square. / Kirby Lee, US Presswire

by Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY Sports

by Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY Sports

The lead-up to the NFL's International Series, set to be renewed at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday as the New England Patriots take on the St. Louis Rams at Wembley Stadium, has given London yet another taste of football -- er, American football -- hoopla.

And what would a sampling of the NFL experience be without some good ol' hyperbole?

Robert Kraft said Saturday that London is ready for its very own NFL team.

"You're already hosting the premier league, and we believe we're the premier sport in the world," Kraft said at the NFL's FanFest rally in Trafalgar Square, according to ESPNBoston.com. "I think London has shown, with the way they've handled the Olympics and every other major sporting event, that it's time for you to have your own NFL franchise, based in London."

Now that's a fine exhibition in pandering.

An annual game in London surely helps grow the league's international appeal, but placing a team outside of North America presents entirely different logistical problems. With the time changes and distances involved, shipping a London-based team to the United States eight times a season for away games certainly would rattle the league's competitive balance.

It's a tantalizing idea but one probably best kept in the pep rally forum.